Ride the Razorback Greenway in NW Arkansas

Connecting the cities of Northwest Arkansas is a massive multi-use paved trail that stretches nearly 40 miles. Running from Fayetteville up to Bella Vista, there’s a lot of allure, even if you’re not a biker or a hiker!

Find out what the Razorback Regional Greenway, AKA “the Greenway,” has to offer and whether it’s worth the trek during your Ozarks family vacation.

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What is the Razorback Greenway?

The Greenway is a 40-mile stretch of paved trail for cyclists, mountain bikers, hikers, walkers, furry pets, families, and wanderers. It’s mostly a widely paved trail marked with a yellow centerline, making it super accessible and easier for families to enjoy. Since it’s such a long road, you probably won’t get to the whole thing in one go.

Unless you’re a cycling enthusiast, this gem is best experienced a little bit at a time and it will keep you coming back for something new each time. It’s a great starting point for families that want to get involved in biking, but aren’t quite ready for dirt trails.

Where is the Razorback Greenway?

The Razorback Regional Greenway trail starts in Fayetteville with Mile 0. The path runs North through the following cities:

Fayetteville
Johnson
Springdale
Lowell
Rogers
Bentonville
Bella Vista

The Greenway presently ends in Bella Vista, but it’s left in a state that allows future construction to pick up where it left off. See the overall map of Razorback Greenway below—here is the interactive map.

There are many places to access the Razorback Greenway. Below, we cover trailhead access points for the trail in each city that it passes through.

Fayetteville Trailhead for the Razorback Greenway

Fayetteville is known as “Bike City” for a reason. Mile 0 of the Razorback Greenway is located on the Eastern outskirts of Kessler Mountain Regional Park in SW Fayetteville. The trail continues for 9 miles through the city, briefly detours into Johnson, and then back into Northern Fayetteville for another couple miles.

Fayetteville is one of the largest cities in Arkansas, so there’s a lot to do in this Ozarks metropolis that sits on the edge of the Boston Mountains. Be sure to at least check out the trailhead to this 40-mile path while you’re in town!

Johnson Trailhead for the Razorback Greenway

Between mile markers 9 and 11 on the Razorback Greenway is a tiny town in Arkansas called Johnson. There are two locations to access the Greenway—from the Northwest Arkansas Mall parking lot, or from the Carol E. Van Scyoc Trailhead.

Springdale Trailhead for the Razorback Greenway

North of Johnson and Fayetteville, miles 14 through 21 provide nearly 10 miles of the Greenway trail, paving the way through Springdale, Arkansas. This section starts out roadside and heads straight North for miles 14 & 15. As you approach mile 16, it gets a little more exciting as the trail branches back off-road to follow the creek. Trail access is in this area nearby the Phat Tire Bike Shop or at Lake Springdale on mile 19.

Lowell Trailhead for the Razorback Greenway

Around mile 22, the trail reaches Lowell, Arkansas. Access the Greenway through the George Looney Trailhead near Puppy Creek Road.

Rogers Trailhead for the Razorback Greenway

A large section of the Razorback Greenway is located in Rogers, Arkansas—miles 24 through 30, mostly through the countryside and behind residential areas. Mercy Hospital Trailhead near mile 27 is a good place to park for nearby access to the Greenway. Alternatively, if you want to enter the trail closer to Bentonville, Barn Trailhead (just at the edge of Rogers/Bentonville) is a great spot to join past mile 30.

Bentonville Trailhead for the Razorback Greenway

Of course, the Mountain Biking Capital of the World needs to feature a portion of the Razorback Regional Greenway (Miles 31 to 39). One spot to enter Bentonville on the Greenway from the South at the Horse Barn Trailhead near mile 31. Note that there is currently a detour from trail construction on miles 33 and 34 inside the city.

Another great spot to enter this section to hop on the Greenway is Compton Gardens, near mile 35. It runs just next to a section of the All American Trail (part of the Slaughter Pen MTB trail system) and past the Crystal Bridges. Just before mile 39, you’ll ride past Buddy Pegs HQ, a bike rental venue serving families with children of all ages.

The last mile of the Razorback Greenway as it stands today ends with mile 40 inside a beautiful nature-rich community known as Bella Vista, Arkansas. Find the trailhead at the North end of the Razorback Regional Greenway near Blowing Springs and Sugar Creek Soccer Park.

Why Ride the Razorback Greenway with Your Family

There’s a lot that makes the Razorback Regional Greenway a great path for families to ride on. Here are a few reasons to check out the Greenway with the fam:

First off, it’s a paved and easy ride for beginners
Multiple entry points where you can ride as little or as much as you want
Many sections are off-road, making them safer for little ones than road-riding
Numerous parks and playgrounds near the path
Runs right past downtowns, splash pads, shops, & restaurants
Art and nature are built into the ride

Fun Spots to Check out With Your Family Along the Greenway

If you’re looking for a mix between riding the Greenway and stopping for rest and play, we’ve got your back. Here are some spots along the trail for families with young kids.

Wilson Park, Gordon Long Park, Walker Park Splash Pad, and Lake Fayetteville Bicycle Skills Park in Fayetteville
Lake Springdale and Shiloh Museum of Ozarks History in Springdale
Horse Barn Park in Rogers
Compton Gardens & Arboretum in Bentonville

Ready to See the Greenway for Yourself and Book Your Trip to NWA Ozarks?

The Razorback Greenway offers miles of fun for all ages. Whether you want to ride the trail or just check out the nearby sites, there’s a lot to explore. Spend a week in the area to check it all out!

Here are a few helpful links to plan your trip to the Razorback Greenway in Northwest Arkansas.

Find a Local Hotel: Check dates and rates for places near the Greenway on Trip.com

Rent a Car: Drive to the Ozarks and between the Greenway’s connecting towns with a rental car, get the best rates on Economy Bookings

Ozarks Family Travel